Pros Peta Murgatroyd and Maksim Chmerkovskiy, engaged since December to marry, learned a few weeks into the spring season of competition that they are expecting their first child in January 2017. The ultra-talented Peta taught her celeb partner, deaf model Nyle DiMarco, and ultimately won the Mirrorball trophy with him, all while feeling ill much of the time with “morning” sickness. Peta can’t wait to nurture the baby, and Maks, known also for being fond of wearing a wide selection of tennis shoes, plans to keep his child outfitted in the latest styles, too. Meanwhile, Peta continues to accompany Maks and Val on their “Our Way” cross-country tour. Their wedding will be a year away, July 2017, in NYC. They chose July to avoid conflicts with the DWTS seasons and to increase availability of fellow dancers, friends, and former contestants.

Also expecting now are married couple and actors Alexa and Carlos PenaVega, who competed against one another in season 21. This will be their first child together.

Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy, who may still be a couple, were seen rehearsing for the “Our Way” tour. Also, Jenna and Artem Chigvintsev are said to be working on a new project for DWTS (can’t wait to see what that is!).

Anyone else missing Julianne Hough, both on the dance floor and at the judges’ table? On June 5 she co-hosted the Miss USA pageant, in addition to serving as the creative director. The actress, singer, and Emmy award-winning choreographer-dancer first found fame on DWTS, then in work in films and on stage; she even has her own production company now, Canary House Productions, which produced the pageant (www.broadway.com). What’s more. Julianne will be seen soon in a TV show about surviving outdoors, hosted and taught by the adventurer whose name is in the title, “Running Wild with Bear Grylls.” Her highly anticipated wedding to Toronto Maple Leafs star Brooks Laich is set to take place before the end of 2016; she has her wedding dress and her reception outfit ready to go.

Speaking of the Hough family, brother Derek Hough is still preparing to be seen in “Hairspray” and “Singing In The Rain” on Broadway, beginning, I believe, this fall. Meanwhile, you can see him in Lindsey Stirling’s new music video for her single “Arena.” We’re sure that he made it awesome! He hopes to return to DWTS. For more Derek news, go to PureDerekHough.com.

This is a good segue to Derek’s BFF, Mark Ballas. In late May, Mark had his 30th birthday, which coincided with his vacation with his true love, BC Jean, in Hawaii. About a week later the duo performed “Thief” on “Live with Kelly.” They also recently performed live for the Muscular Dystrophy Assn., apparently while on their “Head High” band tour. They’re talking about having an outdoor wedding where they again will perform together. As for the show, the previous champion (twice!) says that his dream celeb partner would be singer Shakira, who we all know is fit and has both the rhythm and the moves. Until the fall season and the wedding (date as yet unknown), the pair continue their band tour and Mark’s non-smoking campaign.

Pros Derek Hough and Peta Murgatroyd and winning celebs from the past two seasons, Bindi Irwin and Nyle DiMarco, have all been nominated for the 2016 TV Scoop Awards for Best Reality/Talk Show Star. Fingers crossed! Vote at “E Online” as often as you can.

Cheryl Burke, former DWTS pro, has a new dance show, “Love on the Floor,” that will premiere soon. Nope, not in the U.S. You’ll have to go to Tokyo, Japan to see it, and you can read about it at US Weekly. It also stars Meryl Davis, who won DWTS a few seasons ago with Maks Chmerkovskiy, Meryl’s pro ice skating partner Charlie White, and Kristi Yamaguchi, who won one of the early DWTS seasons with Mark Ballas. What’s next? Cheryl would like to be able to spotlight her show in Las Vegas and Broadway.

Pretty pro Kym Johnson is helping to design her own wedding dress for her forthcoming wedding to former dance partner and ongoing “Shark Tank” celeb Robert Herjavec. Their wedding date, to my knowledge, has not been announced but is supposed to be this year.

Pros Emma Slater and Sasha Farber have been spotted dancing in various events across the country. One was a grand opening and 8th-anniversary celebration in West Palm Beach, FL. They also appear in “Life’s A Dance” with Sharna Burgess, Tony Dovolani, and Tristan MacManus. What a great team!

Spring season’s third-place finalist Ginger Zee, GMA’s meteorologist on ABC’s GMA, has a new project that has deep personal meaning for her. Your first reaction might be, “A new baby, GMA in NY, and DWTS in LA all at the same time weren’t enough?!” Apparently not. They only revved her up for another challenge, one that connects to her own life. The teenage anorexic of nearly two decades ago will launch a culinary series this month on ABC.com called “Food Forecast.” As time goes on she’d like to have a children’s science show that will inspire children. I’m guessing that would be not only in nutrition and weather but also in anything science related that could be interesting and beneficial.

BFFs Witney Carson and Lindsay Arnold are having a blast with their “Born And Raised In Utah” show. Cast members include a few of their former dance partners. Witney has Von Miller and Alfonso Ribeiro while Lindsay has Alek Skarlatos. They also may have special guests who are not former dance partners.

September 12: DWTS fall season (23rd!) will premiere! HHHHHHHead judge Len Goodman reportedly has accepted a $3.3M deal with ABC to return as head judge. Pros Allison Holker and Edyta Sliwinska, who have been seen on red carpets at various glitzy and charitable events since season 22 ended in May, also hope to return as pros in the fall.

DWTS’ Tom Bergeron and others honored boxer Muhammed Ali, who died a couple of weeks ago, by remembering when Ali’s youngest daughter, Laila, competed on the show, with Maks as her pro partner.

Watch for Tom Bergeron to host “A Capital Fourth” on PBS again on Monday night, July 4.

Writing has been an important talent and part of my life since I was a child.Professionally, after decades of employment for others, I founded Writestyle in 1996 to provide writing, editing, proofreading, training, and more to clients worldwide (www.writestyle.com).Clients often call my work “magic.”I have written and/or edited for “Coexistence Magazine” (national), for “Ohio Magazine,” and for various newspapers.In addition, I have edited or contributed to the writing of numerous books.Personally, I have written in various genres.I have always composed poetry; as such, I have won awards and publication for some of my poems, and I am compiling a book of my poetry.One of my children’s books is set for publication.With my second husband, family and friends in Ohio, I enjoy music and dance, aid charitable causes, and strive for beauty and harmony in life.

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About Me

Professionally, after decades of employment for others, Vickie Weaver founded Writestyle in 1996 to provide writing, editing, proofreading, training, and more to clients worldwide. She has written and/or edited for “Coexistence Magazine” (national), “Ohio Magazine,” and various newspapers. In addition, she has edited or contributed to the writing of numerous books. Personally, she has won awards and publication for some of her poems and is compiling a book of her poetry. She enjoys music and dance, and strives for beauty and harmony in life.